the first half of 2025, reaching a value of $3.225 billion, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). This performance marks a 19.59% increase compared to the $2.696 billion recorded in the same period in 2024, signaling sustained momentum in the country’s diversification drive.
The NEPC’s Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed the figures in Abuja on Sunday during the presentation of the council’s First Half-Year Progress Report. She noted that, alongside the growth in export value, shipment volumes also increased from 3.83 million metric tonnes in H1 2024 to 4.04 million metric tonnes in H1 2025. The surge, she explained, was largely driven by heightened demand for Nigerian commodities in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Vietnam, and several African nations.
Ayeni described the report as a detailed overview of the council’s accomplishments, challenges, and outlook for the remainder of the year. She emphasized that the figures demonstrate Nigeria’s strengthening position in the global non-oil trade space.
The NEPC boss highlighted that Q1 2025 alone accounted for $1.791 billion in non-oil exports, representing a 24.75% jump from $1.436 billion recorded in Q1 2024. Export volumes for the quarter also rose significantly by 24.3%, reaching 2.416 million metric tonnes compared to 1.937 million metric tonnes in the same period of 2024.
According to Ayeni, this remarkable growth was not coincidental but the result of a combination of favorable global market conditions and strategic interventions by the NEPC. She identified several key drivers behind the improved performance, including increased international demand for high-value commodities such as cocoa, sesame, cashew, and aluminium. Additionally, expanded market opportunities and tariff concessions provided under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) further boosted Nigeria’s export competitiveness.
The council’s proactive initiatives also played a critical role. Ayeni explained that the NEPC has been actively supporting exporters through capacity-building programs on quality improvement, adherence to international standards, packaging, labeling, documentation, and product certification. These measures, she noted, have enhanced the global acceptability of Nigerian products and strengthened exporters’ ability to meet the requirements of diverse markets.
Furthermore, the NEPC facilitated market access and linkages for local exporters, ensuring their products gain greater visibility and reach in the global marketplace. These interventions have not only improved the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian exports but have also contributed to sustained growth in both value and volume.
Ayeni reaffirmed the council’s commitment to deepening these efforts as the country approaches the end of 2025, stressing that the non-oil export sector holds significant potential for driving economic growth, generating foreign exchange, and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil revenues.
With the sector’s upward trajectory showing no signs of slowing, the NEPC aims to consolidate these gains, expand into new markets, and ensure that Nigerian products continue to command a strong presence internationally.
